Pipe fitting for awning arms and the like



Sept. 1, 1942. H DAZZO 2,294,835

PIPE FITTING FOR AWNING ARMS AND THE LIKE Filed July 23, 1941 PatentedSept. 1, 1942 PIPE FITTING FOR AWNING ARMS AND THE LIKE Henry azzo, Brok y Application July 23, 1941 Serial No. 403,601

5 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a fitting forawning arms and the like.

More specifically, the invention proposes the construction of fittingsfor an awning for attaching an awning bar positioned at the front edgeof the awning cloth upon the side arms of the awning structure. It isproposed that each fitting be characterized by means for attaching itsback portion to the awning arm, and an adjustable clamp at the front endthereof for tightly grip-.- ping the awning bar attached to the frontedge of the awning material.

Still further it is proposed to characterize the clamp by asemi-cylindrical portion integrally formed with the base member and upona por: tion of which a clamp member having a complementarysemi-cylindrical portion is disposed at a position above the firstmentioned semi-cylindrical portion in a manner to encircle and grip thesaid bar.

A further object of the invention proposes the provision of a headedfastening element engaged through the clamp member and engaging the basemember for drawing the semi-circular portions together.

It is further proposed to provide the clamp member with a fulcrumelement for resting upon a portion of the base member and about whichthe clamp member is adapted to be pivoted by the tightening action ofthe headed fastening element for causing the semi-circular portions totightly grip the bar.

It is furthermore proposed to provide the clamp member with a pivotallymounted block set into an opening formed in the clamp member and throughwhich the headed fastening element is adapted to extend in a manner toprovide a complementary fiat surface against which the head of thefastening element may engage regardless of the angular inclination ofthe clamp member relative to the head.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects andadvantages thereof, refer, ence will be had to the following descriptionand accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which thevarious novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of an awning having a fittingconstructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional View of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating a modification ofthe invention.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but illustrating a still furthermodification of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a lateral vertical sectional view taken on the line 6-6 ofFig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the block per se.,,

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal vertical sectional View taken on the line 88 ofFig. 5.

The fitting for awning arms, according to this invention, ischaracterized by a base member III for engagement upon the side II of anawning structure. The fitting is designed for connecting the ends of thebar I2 to the outer end of the side arms I I. The bar I2 has the freeouter end of the awnin material I3 attached thereto.

The awning structure may consist of pivctally connected members H I Iand II? forming a lazy tong awning arm. The arm II is adjustablyconnected to a pivoted arm I I which is secured to the wall by asuitable bracket H The member i I is also secured to the wall by anothersuitable bracket II A slide member I I may be secured at variouspositions on the pivoted arm II by set screws II. This slide member H isprovidedwith a removable pintle II adapted to engage one of theapertures II formed at the free end of the member II so that the slantof the awning and its height from the street may be controlled.

The base member ID is characterized by a hollow semi-cylindrical frontportion I4 which continues into a fiat central portion I5 having itsflat top surface extending radially of the axis of the semi-cylindricalportion. The base member I0 is formed of metal and the fiat top centralportion I5 continues into a relatively large back portion IB having ashoulder IT at the rear of the flat top surface I5.

A means is provided for attaching the back portion I I5 to the outer endof the awning arm II. In this first form of the invention this attachingmeans is characterized by a fork I8 formed at the rear end of the backportion I6 and which has its fingersengaging the side faces of the endof the side arm II. A bolt I9' is engaged through complementary openingsformed in the overlappin portions of the side arm I I and the fork I8for securing these portions together as a unit.

A clamp member 20 has a rear portion 2| disposed upon the flat topcentral portion I5 of the base member iii. The rear portion 2I isprovided with a fulcrum element 22 at its rear end which rests upon theface of the flat top central portion Hi. This fulcrum element is in theform of a downwardly extended projection formed upon the back end of therear portion 2|. The clamp member 20 is formed of the same material asthe base member l 0. The front of the clamp member 20 continues into afront hollow semi-cylindrical portion 23 complementary to thesemi-cylindrical portion [4 of the base member [9 for forming a socketto receive the end of the awning bar l2.

A headed fastening element in the form of a bolt 24 is passed freelythrough an opening 25 formed in the rear portion 2| of the clamp member20. The end of the bolt 24 threadedly engages a complementary opening 26extended downwards from the face of the flat top central portion l5 ofthe base member IE3. The bolt 24 is located slightly to the front of thefulcrum element 22 and as the bolt is tightened it causes the clampmember to pivot about the fulcrum element 22 causing the front end ofthe cylindrical portion 23 to move towards the cylindrical portion M totightly grip and clamp the end of the awning bar I2.

According to the modification of the invention shown in Fig. 4 theconstruction of the fitting for an awning arm is similar to thatpreviously described except for a slightly different means for attachingthe back portion l5 of the base member If! to the side arm ll of theawning structure. The side arm H in this form of the invention is oftubular construction and the back portion I6 is formed with a tubularsocket l8 into which the free end of the side arm H is engaged. A bolti9 is threadedly engaged through one wall of the tubular socket l8 andbears against the tubular side arm H for connecting these parts togetheras a unit.

According to the modification of the invention shown in Figs. 5 to 8 theconstruction of the fitting for an awning arm is similar to that described relative to Fig. 4, except for the provision of means forproviding a fiat surface against which the head of the bolt 24 isadapted to be fixedly held. rear portion 2| of the clamp member 22] isprovided with a cutout 30 in which a block 3| is disposed. This block 3|is provided with a trunnion 32 in the form of outwardly extending trunnion elements 33 extended from opposite sides of the block 3|. Thetrunnion elements 33 engage within complementary semi-circular recesses34 formed in the top face of the clamp member 20 on opposite sides ofthe opening 36.

The block 3| is provided with a central aperture 35 through which thethreaded portion of the bolt 24 extends to be engaged into the threadedopening 26 of the base member l0. With this construction the block 3| iscapable of pivoting relative to the clamp member 23 to provide a flatsurface against which the bottom fiat face of the head of the bolt 24 isadapted to securely seat regardless of the angular inclination of theclamp 23 with relation to the base member 10.

This form of the invention is also provided with a means for increasingthe operative size of the fulcrum element 22 for accommodating awningbars [2 of slightly different thicknesses. In this form of the inventionthe fulcrum element 22 is in the form of a separate block having aninverted V-shaped top surface 31 which is adapted to engage acomplementary inverted V-shapecl recess 38 formed in the bottom face ofthe rear portion 2| of the clamp member 20. Shims 39 In this form of theinvention the are adapted to be engaged between the adjacent faces ofthe V-shaped surface 31 and the V- shaped recess 38 for increasing thelength of the fulcrum 22.

It is to be understood that this fitting may be used for other purposesbesides its use as an awning arm connection.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of myinvention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to theprecise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to allchanges and modifications coming within the scope of the invention asdefined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A fitting for an awning arm, comprising a base member having a hollowsemi-cylindrical front portion continuing into a flat top portion, aclamp member having a rear portion disposed upon said fiat top portionand a front hollow semi-cylindrical portion complementary to saidsemi-cylindrical portion to form a socket for an awning bar, a fulcrumformed on the top face of the fiat top portion and engaging into acomplementary recess formed in the bottom face of the rear portion ofsaid clamp member, a block set freely into a cutout extended inwardsfrom the back end of the rear portion of said clamp member, meanspivotally supporting said block, and a bolt passing freely through anenlarged opening formed in said block and threadedly engaging acomplementary opening formed in said flat top portion, wherebyregardless of the angular inclination of said clamp member said blockwill pivot relative thereto and provide a flat surface against which thebottom face of the head of the bolt will solidly seat and securely holdthe block in position on said clamp member and said clamp member inposition on said fiat top portion.

2. A fitting for an awning arm, comprising a base member having a hollowsemi-cylindrical front portion continuing into a flat top portion, aclamp member having a rear portion disposed upon said flat top portionand a front hollow semi-cylindrical portion complementary to saidsemi-cylindrical portion to form a socket for an awning bar, a fulcrumformed on the top face of the flat top portion and engaging into acomplementary recess formed in the bottom face of the rear portion ofsaid clamp member, a block set freely into a cutout extended inwardsfrom the back end of the rear portion of said clamp member, meanspivotally supporting said block, and a bolt passing freely through anenlarged opening formed in said block and threadedly engaging acomplementary opening formed in said fiat top portion, wherebyregardless of the angular inclination of said clamp member said blockwill pivot relative thereto and provide a fiat surface against which thebottom face of the head of the bolt will solidly seat and securely holdthe block in position on said clamp member and said clamp member inposition on said flat top portion, said means, comprising trunnionelements extending from the sides of said block and engagingcomplementary recesses formed in the rear portion of said clamp memberon opposite sides of said cutout.

3. A fitting for an awning arm, comprising a base member having a hollowsemi-cylindrical front portion continuing into a flat top portion, aclamp member having a rear portion disposed upon said fiat top portionanda front hollowsemicylindrical portion complementary to saidsemicylindrical portion to form a socket for an awning bar, a fulcrumformed on the top face of the fiat top portion and engaging into acomplementary recess formed in the bottom face of the rear portion ofsaid clamp member, a block set freely into a cutout extended inwardsfrom the back end of the rear portion of said clamp member, meanspivotally supporting said block, and a bolt passing freely through anenlarged opening formed in said black and threadedly engaging acomplementary opening formed in said fiat top portion, wherebyregardless of the angular inclination of said clamp member said blockwill pivot relative thereto and provide a flat surface against which thebottom face of the head of the bolt will solidly seat and securely holdthe block in position on said clamp member and said clamp member inposition on said flat top portion, said means, comprising trunnionelements extending from the sides of said block and engagingcomplementary recesses formed in the rear portion of said clamp memberon opposite sides of said cutout, said bolt being extended through saidblock at right angles to the axis of said trunnion elements.

4. A fitting for an awning arm, comprising a base member having a hollowsemi-cylindrical front portion continuing into a fiat top portion,

a clamp member having a rear portion disposed upon said flat top portionand a front hollow semi-cylindrical portion complementary to saidsemi-cylindrical portion to form a socket for an awning bar, a fulcrumformed on the top face of a complementary opening formed in said flattop portion, whereby regardless of the angular inclination of said clampmember said block will pivot relative thereto and provide a flat surfaceagainst which the bottom face of the head of the bolt will solidly seatand securely hold the block in position on said clamp member and saidclamp member in position on said flat top portion, and means forincreasing the operative size of said fulcrum to spread saidsemi-cylindrical portions to accommodate awning bars of differentthicknesses.

5. A fitting for an awning arm, comprising a base member having a hollowsemi-cylindrical front portion continuing into a flat top portion, aclamp member having a rear portion disposed upon said flat top portionand a front hollow semi-cylindrical portion complementary to saidsemi-cylindrical portion to form a socket for an awning bar, a fulcrumformed on the top face of the flat top portion and engaging into acomplementary recess formed in the bottom face of the rear portion ofsaid clamp member, a block set freely into a cutout extended inwardsfrom the back end of the rear portion of said clamp member, meanspivotally supporting said block, and a bolt passing freely through anenlarged opening formed in said block and threadedly engaging acomplementary opening formed in said flat top portion, wherebyregardless of the angular inclination of said clamp member said blockwill pivot relative thereto and provide a flat surface against which thebottom face of the head of the bolt will solidly seat and securely holdthe block in position on said clamp member and said clamp member inposition on said fiat top portion, and means for increasing. theoperative size of said fulcrum to spread said semi-cylindrical portionsto accommodate awning bars of different thicknesses, comprising shimsengageable between the adjacent faces of said fulcrum and the bottomface of the rear portion of said clamp member.

HENRY DAZZO.

